If bank has frozen late father's account, just write it off

By Ronald Lipman

November 15, 2013Updated: November 17, 2013 10:11pm

Q: My father died recently. For the last 12 years, he has been in a nursing home. All his assets were liquidated. He had no house, no land, no savings, and his children divided his few personal belongings. His only asset was a $120 joint checking account with me. The bank wants an order admitting his will to probate to release the funds. It would cost more than the amount in the account to hire a lawyer. I am willing to forfeit the funds rather than hire a lawyer and go to court. Any advice?

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